Wake recovery dynamics in tandem tidal turbines

作者：Yaoru Qian, Yukun Sun, Zhiqiang Liu, Yuquan Zhang, Tongguang Wang · 发表于：Physics of Fluids · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1063/5.0272654 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Wind Energy Research and Development、Fluid Dynamics and Turbulent Flows、Fluid Dynamics and Vibration Analysis

This study presents an integrated experimental and computational fluid dynamics investigation of wake interactions between two tandem-aligned horizontal-axis tidal turbines. Through high-precision acoustic Doppler velocimetry measurements and blade-resolved simulations using the shear stress transport-partially averaged Navier–Stokes (SST-PANS) turbulence model, the hydrodynamic performance and wake dynamics are systematically analyzed under inter-turbine spacings of 6D (six times the rotor diameter) and 8D (eight times the rotor diameter). Results demonstrate that the downstream turbine experiences a 45% reduction in optimal power output at 6D spacing, driven by intensified velocity deficits (up to 75%) and turbulence intensity (25%) within the upstream wake. The SST-PANS model, validated against experimental data with less than 8% discrepancy in wake velocity and turbulence predictions, effectively resolves anisotropic turbulence effects, including tip vortex breakdown and shear layer evolution. An observation of power spectral density slope transition from −5/3 (single) to −11/3 (tandem) highlights distinct turbulence-driven power fluctuations. These findings recommend a minimum 8D spacing to balance energy extraction and wake recovery, advancing turbulence modeling frameworks for cost-effective tidal farm design.